Inter Miami Edges Tigres 2-1 in Leagues Cup Quarterfinals

Inter Miami beats Tigres 2-1 in Leagues Cup

Inter Miami advances to the Leagues Cup semifinals after a 2-1 win over Tigres UANL, setting up a Florida derby against Orlando City.

Luis Suarez stepped up to fill the void left by Lionel Messi's absence, scoring a penalty in each half to lead Inter Miami to a 2-1 victory over Tigres UANL in the Leagues Cup quarter-final. Suarez's impressive performance was crucial in securing the win for Inter Miami, with the Uruguayan striker converting two penalties, one in each half.

Messi, who has been battling a minor muscle injury since August 2, had made a successful return to the field on Saturday, scoring a goal after coming on as a substitute in Inter Miami's 3-1 win over the Los Angeles Galaxy. However, he was ruled out of the Tigres UANL match, with Inter Miami's assistant coach Javier Morales stating that the decision was made to prioritize Messi's recovery and avoid taking any risks.

The match against Tigres UANL was intense, with Inter Miami's coach Javier Mascherano being sent off at halftime for heated protestations to officials. Despite the setback, Suarez's penalties proved to be the difference-maker, while Tigres UANL's Angel Correa managed to pull one back for his team in the 67th minute. The win sets up Inter Miami for a semi-final clash with Florida rivals Orlando City.

VAMOSSS!!! @LeaguesCup Semifinals 🔜 pic.twitter.com/zWqRzAunRO

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 21, 2025

The 38-year-old World Cup winner wasn't part of the lineup against Tigres UANL, but Inter Miami CF still managed to secure a win. In a closely contested match with few scoring opportunities, Luis Suárez proved to be the decisive factor. His exceptional skills helped Inter Miami keep their title hopes alive, aiming to reclaim the championship they won in 2023 during Lionel Messi's inaugural season in MLS.

Suárez's performance was instrumental in Inter Miami's victory, showcasing his talent and experience. This win keeps Inter Miami in contention for the title, building on the success they achieved with Messi's arrival in the league.

The match took a crucial turn in the 20th minute when Javier Aquino inadvertently deflected a cross with his left arm in the penalty area. The referee promptly awarded a penalty, which Luis Suarez coolly converted, giving Inter Miami the lead.

🎙️ @LuisSuarez9 👏🩷🖤 pic.twitter.com/JMmRaV081Z

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 21, 2025

Tensions ran high on the field as Rodrigo De Paul and Fernando Gorriaran had a heated exchange, but Luis Suarez stepped in to calm things down. Meanwhile, Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano's frustrations boiled over, and he was shown a red card at halftime for arguing with officials over excessive injury time. Mascherano continued to coach his team from the stands, using a phone call to communicate with assistant coach Lucas Rodriguez Pagano, sparking controversy over whether this violated Leagues Cup rules. Despite the controversy, Miami secured a 2-1 win over Tigres UANL, thanks to Suarez's two penalty kicks.

Mascherano was forced to watch from the stands as Tigres UANL pulled one back in the 67th minute, Angel Correa cleverly finding space between two defenders to beat Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari. However, Inter Miami's fortunes changed again in the 87th minute when Javier Aquino's handball, confirmed by VAR, resulted in another penalty. Luis Suarez stepped up and scored his second penalty of the game, this time sending the ball to the left as goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman dived in the opposite direction, securing a 2-1 win for Inter Miami.

The Leagues Cup quarterfinals featured four exciting matches, including Inter Miami's clash with Tigres UANL, which Miami won 2-1. 

Other matches included:

Toluca FC vs Orlando City SC: Toluca is expected to advance to the semifinals, given their strong performance in the Apertura and quality players like Alexis Vega.

Los Angeles Galaxy vs Pachuca: This match promises to be intense, with the Galaxy looking to build on their momentum from the Leagues Cup, while Pachuca's recent performances suggest they'll be tough opponents. The Galaxy might win 2-2, but Pachuca could advance via penalty shootout.

Seattle Sounders vs Puebla: The Sounders are heavy favorites to win, thanks to their stellar form since the FIFA Club World Cup, led by players like Pedro de la Vega, Jesus Ferreira, and Cristian Roldan. A predicted scoreline could be 4-1 in their favor.

The stakes are high, with the Leagues Cup champion securing direct entry to the Concacaf Champions Cup round of 16, while the two finalists and the third-place match winner will qualify for the prestigious tournament.